Fire authorities in Hong Kong are close to completing search and rescue operations following a devastating fire at a high-rise apartment complex that claimed the lives of at least 94 individuals. The incident, which also left more than 70 people injured, including 11 firefighters, is being described as one of the deadliest fires in the city’s recent history.
Rescue teams equipped with flashlights are meticulously combing through the charred buildings of the Wang Fuk Court complex in the Tai Po district, near the Hong Kong-China border. Despite efforts to contain the blaze, thick smoke is still emanating from some sections of the towers.
Firefighters are currently focusing on a few remaining apartments within the seven towers, ensuring all units are thoroughly checked for any additional casualties. Authorities are optimistic that the fire will be completely extinguished in the coming hours.
Although the exact number of missing or trapped individuals remains unclear, there was a loss of contact with 279 people early on Thursday. Video footage shows rescuers navigating through darkened apartments, with pockets of flames visible through certain windows.
The fire, believed to have originated in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, rapidly spread across seven of the eight buildings in the complex on Wednesday afternoon. Efforts to contain the flames have been largely successful, with only three towers still under control.
Rescuers are facing challenging conditions as they navigate the smoke-filled corridors in search of survivors. One firefighter was among the casualties, while around 900 individuals were evacuated to temporary shelters overnight.
Three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Authorities suspect that the materials used in the building’s exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences over the tragic incident and emphasized the importance of minimizing casualties. The fire, marking one of the deadliest in Hong Kong in recent decades, has underscored the urgent need for stringent fire safety measures in high-rise buildings.
